French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized Algeria on Monday for the detention of renowned author Boualem Sansal, calling the arrest “arbitrary” and a “disgrace.” Macron urged the Algerian government to release the 75-year-old writer immediately, citing his deteriorating health and need for proper medical care.
“Algeria dishonors itself by preventing a gravely ill man from receiving proper care,” Macron said during an address at the Élysée Palace to French ambassadors. He described Sansal as a “fighter for freedom” unjustly imprisoned under charges of undermining national security.
Sansal, a French citizen of Algerian-Moroccan descent, was arrested in mid-November in Algeria. Authorities charged him with offenses related to state security, reportedly stemming from his outspoken criticism of the Algerian regime. The author, who is being held in a medical unit due to worsening health, has faced increasing persecution in recent months.
Sansal’s arrest has drawn international condemnation, with several Nobel laureates, including Annie Ernaux, Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, and Orhan Pamuk, signing a petition for his release.
Macron’s remarks come amid rising tensions between France and Algeria. Relations have been strained further by France’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a longstanding point of contention between Algeria and Morocco.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also criticized Algeria’s refusal to release Sansal, calling the decision “unjustified” and questioning Algeria’s commitment to the 2022 bilateral relations agreement. “We want good relations with Algeria, but this situation does not reflect that,” Barrot said.
Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to defending democratic values and freedom of expression worldwide. “Freedom is the cornerstone of democracy,” he emphasized, urging Algeria to respect international norms and release Sansal immediately.
The arrest and ongoing detention of Sansal have drawn significant backlash from the global literary community and human rights organizations, with many citing his prosecution under Algeria’s Penal Code as politically motivated.
Sansal became a French citizen in 2024 but has long been a vocal critic of Algeria’s government. His detention highlights broader tensions between France and Algeria, as the two nations grapple with complex historical and political ties.
